APRIL 20, 2014

Full News Archive

• Headline: G.M.’s Controversial Recall Practices. Impact: If G.M. had taken recalls seriously, we might have avoided a future where every car comes with a complimentary game of 'Guess Which Safety Feature is Broken?'. Fact: In the 1980s, G.M. had a model known as the 'Chevy Citation' – a fitting name considering how often they seemed to 'cite' safety as merely a suggestion..
• Headline: The Rise of Social Media Bots. Impact: The rise of social media bots was the beginning of the great 'Influencer Wars', leading to the eventual collapse of genuine friendships and the rise of 'frenemies' everywhere. Thanks, algorithms!. Fact: In 2020, it was estimated that over 50% of online followers for some influencers were just bots – a real testament to the depth of human connection in the digital age..
• Headline: Flyers Break Losing Streak at the Garden. Impact: This game marked a pivotal moment in sports history: the Flyers' victory led to a decade-long debate about whether hockey players could also be dramatic actors. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: The Flyers are known for their tough play, but did you know that their mascot, Gritty, is basically a metaphor for the team's fanbase? Loud, chaotic, and slightly unsettling..
• Headline: The Met as Mosh Pit for a Fill-In Star. Impact: Camarena stepping in turned 'La Cenerentola' into a pop-up concert, paving the way for the age of the 'surprise guest' in every cultural event. Coming soon: Shakespeare starring Dwayne Johnson.. Fact: The term 'fill-in' takes on a whole new level when you're in opera – it's like a reality show, but with more drama and less chance of getting voted off..
• Headline: Brooklyn to Queens, but Not by Subway. Impact: If the streetcar route had been realized, it would have sparked a mass migration of hipsters to Queens, dramatically raising the price of avocado toast and ruining yet another neighborhood.. Fact: Red Hook and Astoria both have waterfront views, but the only thing that gets more crowded than the beaches in summer is the brunch lines on Sundays..